Val’s Comments (group member since Aug 28, 2019)

Val’s comments from the Beyond Zon group.

P wrote: "If they made it simpler, half the workforce would be made redundant Val, although it does sound much more convoluted than the UK...."

Maybe, but at least we don't have to pay in advance so they're not sitting on our money. And for the last few years our State Government has paid us £125 a year just to go to a website to check out all the different companies' offers to see if there's something more suitable for you - no obligation to change. And it's law that companies have to state on their bill whether there's a cheaper plan available to you (within that same company). I look for a company that's preferably Australian owned (although ours is French!), has a head office in Australia that you can contact by phone, can provide both gas and electricity and doesn't insist on direct debit. That narrows the options down to a workable list but no one is going to go through all the fine print and prices change so often that you wouldn't bother anyway. We did change companies about four years ago but it's impossible to say whether we saved anything or not because of the fluctuating (i.e. always rising) prices.

We had a freezing day yesterday, top of 12 degrees, very windy and showers on and off. Why do the power companies send bills (yes, I still prefer snail mail over direct debit) saying "we've noticed there's a cheaper plan you could be on" - doesn't everyone want to be on the cheapest plan? Just put me on it! But no, it's a phone call, where you give all your details, get transferred and then have to repeat all those details plus prove your ID by driver's licence, Seniors Card number, Age Pension number and then discover that there's an even cheaper plan than the one they recommended on your bill. So that's half an hour gone and it was only for gas. I'll probably have to do it all over again next electricity bill. The bill comes addressed to Mrs H but Mr H is also noted on the account. So I asked the very helpful lass I was dealing with, "if I drop off the perch tomorrow, does the bill continue in his name?" No such luck, the account and supply will continue but he'll have to ring up and provide his driver's licence, Seniors Card number, Age Pension........ Why can't life be simple again???

On a happy note, today is bright sunshine and next week's forecast is 21, 22, 25 and 26. Oh for some lovely spring weather!

Qashqai 68 wrote: "Thank you P, the day didn’t go as planned...."

That must have been a horrible shock for everyone involved. I hope Mrs Q has regained her equilibrium and realises these things just happen.

It's a beautiful morning here and it's supposed to get to 19 degrees but windy. The weekend was wonderful - 20 degrees both days and lovely sunshine. With no commitments, I planned to really get stuck into re-potting my many cuttings, hanging baskets, pot plants, etc and I did get a bit done but not as much as I hoped. The initial plan was just to take two very big, very heavy, metal hanging baskets and empty them of the lovely carnations which had just become too old and woody. Well I did get one emptied and took 8 cuttings and got them potted up but it's so easy to get distracted and by the time you've washed out empty pots and sorted out potting mix and mulch, time has run out for the original plan. Monday was 22 degrees but I was on kindergarten pick-up followed by another afternoon of colouring-in and jigsaws. By the time my daughter got home it was raining steadily but I did manage to get to the chemist to collect our scripts. For the last four years we've had free delivery (just place the order via the app and they would arrive the same or next day) - a wonderful bonus! But now there is a delivery charge of £2.50. I don't blame them and it's hardly onerous but if I can pick them up I may as well. Yesterday I walked to the library - 3 miles from home to home again - and picked up a reserved book. Today I'm hoping to take some cuttings from an impatiens bush and get them potted up if it's not too windy. The weather is due to get cooler again leading into the weekend. Hope you are all making the most of your good weather and that the health issues are on the back burner for now.

Isabella wrote: "I’ve scattered some chilli and cayenne around in the hope of deterring whatever it is. A jar doesn’t go far, though.l..."

I bought chili powder in bulk (250g? 500g?) - very cheap at the supermarket. Admittedly I've never tried it around plants but it's worth a shot - even sprinkled on the plants themselves?

Isabella wrote: "No garden today but yesterday was okay except for a disappointment. Something (squirrels?) is digging plants up and other things are being eaten. Lily of the valley last week (a new plant, so not established) and a little purple campanula yesterday, pulled out so that there's only a small straggle of root left. ..."

So disheartening! Could you try spreading something like chili powder around new plantings in hopes it might deter the wildlife?

It's been a fairly busy week so far but nevertheless enjoyable. On Monday I had to pick up L from kindergarten (she will be 5 in November). We spent the afternoon doing jigsaws and colouring in pictures of unicorns, Care bears and more. One of the benefits of being a grandparent is having the time to do these things without any other pressing concerns. Mum was home by 5.00pm so I was able to go to the supermarket and get a decent load of shopping in. Tuesday - I am an avid reader and, of late, have been buying books, mainly used (from eBay and ABE). Luckily I have a core group of friends who I can pass these books onto unless I particularly want to keep any. However, with any number of series recommended to me, I thought it was about time to renew my public library membership and thus save on cost. So I walked to my nearest branch (about 2km each way) and picked up two book, neatly avoiding the intermittent showers. Wednesday was time for a visit to the hairdresser - less than a kilometre away. I've been going to the same place for about 20 years so we always have a good natter about TV shows, films, music, the footy, etc. Today has just been the usual domestic chores. Tomorrow I'll be meeting friends for coffee as we do every Friday and then, as it's the first day of spring, I want to start re-potting some hanging baskets and indoor plants. Our weather has been pretty cold this week (10 - 16 degrees) and on and off showers. Good for the garden. Mr H was able to mow the front and back lawns while it was dry on Monday so at least the garden is looking neat. No. 2 daughter was over in Whyalla, South Australia, for work and it was 28 degrees there - very envious! But then when summer is on us I will be complaining about the heat!

P wrote: "Health wise I have been diagnosed with a ‘dicky ticker’ and should have open heart surgery by the end of the year to replace two leaking valves. Mrs P is trying to pick up the slack at the moment which disappoints me, but not a lot I can do at present☹️...."

I'm glad that at least you have a diagnosis and hope that the surgery does get scheduled this year - and not too close to the Festive Season. Waiting must be a bit of a strain for both of you - always trying to do the right thing and not overdo it. Fingers crossed for you.

I had a good night babysitting last night. I got there just after 6.00pm and Miss 4 was in her jim-jams and ready for bed. She'd had a big day besides experiencing her first bee sting. She was out for the count by 6.30. Miss 10 months went down about the same time but R & H said if she woke before they left at 7.15 they would take her with them (to a 40th birthday party!) I said I was quite happy to deal with her should she wake so they left and I was able to read until she woke about 10.00pm. A quick bottle and she was down again within 15 minutes. I don't know why they have any trouble - it was a doddle! Maybe I just put the fear of god in them! Tomorrow I'm on kindergarten pick-up again at 1.30 while Daughter No. 1 starts her new job. It's only a 10 minute drive from her home - how lucky!

P wrote: "Good grief Val, you must never stop! Lovely to hear from you and thanks for your best wishes. Concert wise, we only had a few booked for this year with one left, Aussie Pink Floyd in November, that’s if my op doesn’t coincide☹️."

I hope you and Mrs P and the lad are keeping well. I think you've enjoyed the Aussie Pink Floyd in the past if I'm right. I hope you enjoy them again - I've heard they put on a good show.

Qashqai 68 wrote: "Thank you for your kind thoughts Val, I’ve just received the all clear for both biopsies, which is a great relief. The one on my arm has a nice scab, the one on my thigh is weeping a bit, might have to see the nurse if it gets any worse. I’ve dabbed it with sudocrem and put a patch on it. Glad to hear you’re well and hope your husband is well also.😊..."

Great news Q! You don't want to dwell on worst case scenarios while you're waiting for results but you just wish they'd hurry up! I'm sure you're much relieved. We are both well here thank you. Mr H. is a great walker - up to 6 miles every day. He's become a slave to his Fitbit! But I've recently added Spotify to his phone and as long as he can listen to any Tamla Motown, he's in heaven.

Isabella wrote: "Glory, Val, you make a one-woman benefactor of the arts! How do you find time for all that? I think we would have to spend an awful lot of time travelling to get to see so many different entertainm..."

Funnily enough the pals I go to a lot of shows with are part of an online group we call Ladies Who Lunch (and subsidise the Arts)! There's 5 of us regulars and about 3 occasional members. I suppose the difference for me is that we live in a major city where all the touring shows/artists appear and we only live about 12 miles from the heart of the city. Our train (a 10 minute walk from home) runs every 10 minutes and takes 20 minutes. Makes it very easy!

We haven't had a real thunderstorm in ages. And fingers crossed we don't.

Your photos are beautiful Isabella and your garden is utterly charming - looks a real haven. Ours by comparison is very flat and boring. I've taken some photos and will try to upload them soon. The asparagus peas you inspired me to grow from seed are still going gangbusters. I'm surprised they survived the winter (although we didn't have any frosts). I think I planted out 8 and about 5 survived but they are now about 3 feet tall and have taken over the small bed they were in. And plenty of flowers on them again. I wasn't rapt in the taste of them. You have to be sure and pick them quickly while they're about an inch long or they get quite tough. I just sauteed them quickly in some butter but next crop I might try drying in the air-fryer - like a sort of pea crisp.

The murder mystery weekend sounds fun. My daughter and partner were at a trivia night a few weeks back where the theme was "op shop chic" (we call charity shops opportunity shops). She scored a gold lame jacket and a tutu at the shop and won the prize for best dressed. S also won a prize in the guess the puzzle (logo) round - embarrassingly for him it was the Powder Puff Girls!

Popping by because I have been very lax about contributing here. Very sorry to hear about your health issues, P & Q, and hope you get useful solutions soon. Isabella, I'm sure your garden is beginning to reward all your efforts. Photos please!

I'm pretty well - touch wood - at present. The weather here has been cold but too wet - might have to start watering soon. Like everyone, prices of gas and electricity have sky-rocketed so we try to be as economical as comfort allows. I have friends travelling in Europe and getting emails about high temperatures in Greece, Spain and even Denmark.

Spring has come early - hyacinths and anemones been and gone and the jasmine almost finished. But the bluebells and miniature daffs are about to start flowering.

I'm starting to get back into the swing of concerts, plays, etc. and I'm spending a fortune on tickets. So far this year I've seen (authors, bands, comedians) Alan Cumming, David Sedaris, Cowboy Junkies, Darren Hayes (ex Savage Garden), Marlon Williams, Bon Iver, Alexander McCall Smith, Jason Isbell, Tommy McClain, The Delines, Robyn Archer, Perry Keyes, The Milk Carton Kids, plus 8 plays, 3 operas, 2 children's shows and 2 trips to the cinema (one with Cate Blanchett in person doing Q & A and the other, The Princess Bride, with full symphony orchestra and Q & A with Cory Elwes).

And coming up Coming up I've got Death Of A Salesman (with Anthony LaPaglia), Winnie the Pooh - The Musical, The Billy Joels (musical/comedy), Asleep At The Wheel, Paul McCartney, Sparks, Tim Minchin, another cinema trip (with Eric Bana doing Q & A), 3 plays, 1 opera and 1 musical. I thought I was slowing down but the diary says otherwise. I've already got 2 tickets for 2024 and will be going to the Melbourne Theatre Company's preview of their 2024 season in a couple of weeks. I justify it by calling it doing all I can with the time left. There's also been boring stuff like getting drainage pipes renewed and updating wills and going to the supermarket, greengrocer, etc.

I'm also doing quite a bit of child-minding, kindergarten pick-ups, grandparents' days etc. Tonight I'm minding two grand-daughters - 4 and 10 months - and hoping they'll go down well so I can get on with reading the three books I currently have on the go. Life's too short!!

P - so sorry to hear your grandson is battling again. Such a rollercoaster ride must be a constant source of worry.

I was in the city centre for a play today (and very good it was). Public transport a bit problematic as there is work going on on my nearest two lines (getting rid of railway crossings and putting the line below ground) so it was bus replacement to another station then train into the CBD - it took about 45 mins, double the usual, but not worth getting your knickers in a knot over. A top of 16 degrees here but no wind to speak of so it was quite mild all told. I'm looking after two grandsons (6 and 4) tomorrow from the ungodly hour of 8.30 (I'm a night owl not a lark). I've never looked after both together in our house so I'm busy trying to think up tasks to keep them amused - books to read, games to play, bulbs to plant (a bit late but never mind), I've made jellies and Angel Delight and we can always make pancakes. The forecast is sunny so they can run off some steam down at the park. I've looked out some DVDs too - I'm going to try them on "The Plank". I'll be exhausted but hopefully I'll survive.

Hi everyone - I'm still hanging in there. The good news is that I've been feeling much improved for the last couple of months. The bad news is that my blood tests say the opposite - inflammation markers have doubled and my haemoglobin levels are on a steady downward trajectory - not dire but still concerning. But I'm walking 2km every day in under 30 minutes and I feel better than I've done in the last 15 months. Another worry is that I've had five bouts of cellulitis in my right breast in the last 12 months and no one seems to be able to explain why it's so localised and recurring. But hey ho, the advantage of getting older is you don't care quite as much with every ache and twinge. I'll see the rheumatologist again on Wednesday and see what the blood tests show this time.

In the meantime I've been going to plenty plays, gigs, etc and my calendar for June looks really impressive. The garden is rather looking after itself as winter begins and cold and wet aren't conducive to getting out there. I planted some pansies in hanging baskets and my blue anemones are looking lovely. Only 19 days till the shortest day and then I for one will be looking forward to spring. Hope you all are faring as well as you can with your own health worries, and also that summer truly is a'cumin in.

Hi Isabella. I'm still here but the rheumatoid arthritis keeps me very quiet. It really flared up in the new year to the extent I could hardly walk. I saw the specialist again this week and he's doubled the dose of Arava but if it doesn't improve, I will be eligible for the once-a-fortnight self-administered injection (similar to an epipen). At present it's a £10,000 p.a. prescription, but will be free to me after April 16, once I've been on the Arava for 12 weeks. It really hinder my gardening as it's almost impossible for me to grab a weed but you will be interested to know my grown-from-seed phlox are flourishing and smell just as I remember them. And two asparagus pea plants survived and I think I'll be harvesting some peas this week! It's going to be 32 degrees here today. I think I will be putting my feet up and enjoying my book!

I too was out last night - went to see Scots actor/singer Alan Cumming. I've seen him before and find it impossible not to smile constantly at his anecdotes and ruminations. He's just the loveliest man.

Let's hope, having prepared yourself for the worst, that it's not as dire as you're thinking. However, sending all good wishes for the dreaded "interview". Do let us know what the experts say. The problem is we're all getting older and the body's not what it was. But you're the youngest of the lot Duke so keep fighting - as the song says, you've "got a lot of livin' to do".

5 minutes to go to the New Year. It's all very quiet around here. I hope 2023 brings everyone good health and plenty of good moments. All the best everyone.